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‘They Are Rare’ - England Coach Wants Ben Stokes & Jofra Archer In T20 World Cup 2024 Squad

image-lqeu5408Ben Stokes (L) and Jofra Archer (R). (AP)

England's white-ball coach, Matthew Mott, emphasized that Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer will be accommodated in the T20 World Cup squad next year, keeping two spots open for them. This strategic decision aligns with England's goal of defending the T20 World Cup title scheduled for June in the USA and the Caribbean.

Currently sidelined due to injury, Stokes underwent knee surgery post the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, while Archer is grappling with a persistent shoulder problem. Acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the team, Mott is willing to reserve places for them in the final squad of 15. 

Mott highlighted the rarity of players like Stokes and emphasized the ease of selection when you have a seam bowler in the top six. Recognizing Stokes' significant role in the team, Mott stated that choosing him for the T20 World Cup is a given. Regarding Archer, Mott praised his box-office pace, change of pace, and the ability to bowl in any over of the innings, emphasizing his massive impact when on the field.

"Every team in the world wants someone like that [Stokes] and they're rare. A lot of the times you have to give up something. If you win, everyone says 'oh, they got it right'. If you lose, it's 'they were a bowler short or a spinner short'. When you've got a seam bowler in your top six, it makes selection a hell of a lot easier. So [choosing him at the T20 World Cup] is a given. In terms of Jofra, you've just got absolute box-office pace, change of pace, bowl any over in the innings. Him on the park is massive, everyone would agree with that,"  Matthew Mott told BBC.

Archer, Stokes are England's X-factor players

Stokes underwent knee surgery following the World Cup and is recovering for the upcoming Test series against India, opting to skip the IPL for workload management. Archer, plagued by injuries, missed the Ashes 2023 and this year's World Cup. He also decided not to participate in the IPL Auction 2024 after being released by Mumbai Indians.

With less than six months until the T20 World Cup, Mott believes they are approaching the finalization of England's squad for the tournament, emphasizing the importance of the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies as preparation for the World Cup.

"We always said with this (West Indies) series we'll go pretty close to the side we're looking for, otherwise why would they be here? We don't get many opportunities to play together before the World Cup. So this is a very strong team we've bought out here,"  Mott added.

While defending the T20 World Cup is a top priority for England in 2024, their immediate focus is on securing victory in the decisive fifth game of the ongoing five-match T20I series against the West Indies.